Nonprofit cofounder accused of child rape

EVERETT — A Seattle man who cofounded a nonprofit organization that fights sexual exploitation of Nepalese children has been arrested for investigation of child rape and exchanging sexually graphic photos with a south Snohomish County girl.

The suspect, 40, is accused of having sex dozens of times with a girl who was in her early teens. An Everett District Court judge on Thursday set bail at $50,000.

The man, who has not been charged, reportedly is from Nepal. The Herald is not reporting the suspect’s name to help protect the girl’s identity.

The girl told a Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office deputy in February that she had a three-year relationship with the man beginning when she was 13.

The suspect allegedly admitted having sex with the child and to receiving a nude photo from her and sending her graphic pornographic photos, according to court papers.

Detectives believe there could have been up to 100 instances of sexual contact between the man and girl in King County between 2010 and 2012 and another half-dozen in Lynnwood after that.

The girl told investigators that she decided to tell her mother what happened last month. She said “she has felt the burden of coming forward for some time now and she realized she couldn’t live with it any longer,” a sheriff’s office detective wrote in court papers used to establish probable cause to arrest the man.

“(She) is essentially a very brave girl to do what she did,” sheriff’s office spokeswoman Shari Ireton said.

In arguing for a high bail, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Matt Baldock said the girl’s mother is concerned the suspect will try to contact her daughter.

“There is evidence of prior manipulation,” Baldock said.

The suspect, who described himself as an information technology professional, allegedly admitted to creating a fake Facebook profile and convincing the girl to trade sexually graphic photos by computer.

The nonprofit he helped start, the WPPC Nepal Foundation, claims to fight against human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of women and children. It reportedly raises money and works to increase awareness about human trafficking in Nepal while helping victims.